IN BANKRUPTCY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 5 February 1889, Page 2

IN BANKRUPTCY.

RE E. T. IRELAND, BANKRUPT. The adjourned first meeting of creditors m this estate was held yesterday afternoon m the Court House, before the Deputy Official Assignee (Mr R. D. Nosworthy). There were present the following creditors : Messrs Williams, Taylor, Kilpatrick, Macalister, and J. Holmes. Mr John Conolly appeared for the debtor ; Mr McNab attended on behalf of the creditors, for the purpose of examining Mrs Ireland, who had . been requested to attend. Rose Ann Ireland, wife of the bankrupt, produced a deed of leasehold from the Crown, held by her. She said this represented the property at Motueka alluded to the other day. The property was now lying idle. Came to Blenheim when married. Had resided m the Wairau since 1860. At marriage had no personal funds. Had carried on business m tailoring, habit making, and fancy goods dealing. Did not buy any cows but one; reared all the others. .Sold a mare and foal for £20. Got them from her son, about 4 years ago. Bought it m 1883. (Witness produced quite a mass of papers and was very matter of fact and decided m her tone.) The witness to the sale of the horse was a " tinsmith by profession." The cow was taken as wages by her son Alfred, at a flaxmill. Was given the cow by Alfred, with the father's full and free consent. It was put down as money, as the boy was under age. Took over the cow, and on May 28th of the same year registered the brand, R.I. Had no other cattle, except what had been reared from that cow, viz : a strawberry heifer, a white cow, and a small calf a month old. The two were branded 12 months ago. The son had to be kept at home for want of employment. The house was kept by the debtor. Had sold butter and milk m small quantities. The debtor had to pay the rent to Macalister. Kept no books of account. There were about 6 acres m the place. The cattle had the run of the property. There was a trap mare got from Porter, but she was "done now, poor thing." Was very careful not to let the debtor pay for these things. Of course she was, for he had enough to pay for. Paid for the service of the two cows. Could safely swear it was hard-earned money. Did not pay herself back out of the husband's earnings. Would scorn the action. The son Leslie (m whose name several receipts stood) lived at home when out of work. Could account for the expenditure of £35 7s lOd earned by debtor (produced a number of receipts). All the payments, or most of them, were made with debtor's money. The payments out came to £35 7s 9d. [A voice: A balance of Id (laughter).] The pollard was used for the pigs, of which there were four. Debtor had paid for it. The four pigs were got from Mr Barnes. The son Leslie bought two of them. (" There's no doubt," observed the witness piously, "a good son is a blessing sent from God.") The pigs were all got for cash. Bought two tons "of pig potatoes. Did not keep the fowls pad- ' docked out (laughter.) Did not possess a single sheep, nor any four-legged animal except the mare. The young cattle were lineally descended from the old cow given by her Hon Alfred. To Mr Conolly: My husband did not claim the money I got from these little sources. They went to the house-fund. Re-examined : Debtor did . not hand over to her Macalister's £1 conduct money. Mr McNab, looking jocularly at Mr Conolly, observed, " I expect it found its way to my friend's pocket " (laughter). Mr McNab advised that a demand be made for the cattle specified, as the son being under age when they were given, they were clearly within the order and disposition of the creditors. The Deputy Official Assignee called the bankrupt forward and asked if he had any proposal to make. Bankrupt : No sir. The Deputy Official Assignee : Will you hand over the cattle ? Bankrupt : They are not mine. The Deputy Official Assignee (to Mrs Ireland) : Will you hand the cattle over to your husband's creditors. Mrs Ireland (promptly) : Most certainly not. It's little I have, and I have worked for it. On the motion of Mr Williams, the meeting adjourned for a fortnight.